Old Friend Keeps Invading My Free Time
So there’s this girl I used to be friends with, but we sort of drifted apart last year without any drama. This year, we’ve been around each other more due to mutual friends, but it’s clear she’s not a fan of mine anymore (no idea why, but whatever). She’s really passive-aggressive and often ignores me.
I have a few free periods during the day because I take online classes, and I use that time to actually get work done. However, a few weeks ago, she suddenly started sitting with me during my free periods. It’s not like she just sits quietly; she insists we sit on the couch instead of at a desk or using a school computer, which makes it hard for me to concentrate on my work. When I say no, she gets upset. On top of that, she keeps asking for help with schoolwork since I’m a year ahead and have already taken the classes she’s in.
Honestly, I don’t get it. If you don’t like me, why are you making an effort to sit with me every day? I want to tell her to leave me alone, but I don’t want to cause drama since we’re still in the same friend group.
It sounds like a really frustrating situation to be in, especially since you’re trying to focus on your work during your free periods. It’s understandable to feel confused about her behavior, especially if it seems contradictory to how she’s acted in the past.
Since you want to avoid causing drama within your friend group, it might be helpful to set some boundaries in a calm and respectful way. You could let her know that you’re using your free time to catch up on work and that you find it hard to concentrate with distractions. You could suggest that she sit somewhere else or work at a desk so that you can both get your work done.
If she continues to push back, it might require a more direct conversation where you express how her actions are affecting you. You don’t have to be confrontational—just explain that you value your study time and would prefer some space during those periods. It can also give her a chance to reflect on her behavior without putting you in an awkward position with the friend group.
Ultimately, prioritizing your own needs is important, and healthy friendships are built on mutual respect.